Brent is a hit songwriter with cuts by Alan Jackson, Randy Travis, Lady Antebellum, Joe Nichols, Gord Bamford, Ray Stevens, and more.  He’s written a top 5 hit in the US and a #1 in Canada… so far.

FREE GIFT

Hey, ya’ll! At the bottom of today’s post, I’m going to let you know about some free stuff I’m giving away to all of you great Man vs. Row subscribers.  Now, on to today’s post…

When you write with an artist, whether a local artist or a major-label artist, don’t be so focused on getting a great song that the artist has a terrible time.  Yes, you want to write the best song possible, but you don’t want to lose the cowriting relationship over it.  Think long-term.

Remember that not all artists are natural writers who are in it for the grind of the song.  However, some artists ARE writers and are willing to take as much time as they need for the song to get right.  It’s important to pay attention to which type of artist is in the writing room with you.

If the artist is really digging what you’re working on, be careful about grinding so hard for perfection that the artist hates your face by the end of the day.  This is especially true on your first cowrite.  Do your homework- bring in a strong idea or melody, but most of all… be likable!  I believe you’ll have a better chance of getting back on the books with the artist with a good song and a great time than with a great song and an awful time.  ‘Cuz even if you push to something great (but the artist thinks you’re a jerk), he is likely to avoid you in the future.  There are just other people the artist can work with that are both really good writers AND a really good hang.

I’m not talking about being an insincere suckup.  Just make sure both the song and the experience of writing the song are both as enjoyable as possible.

God Bless,

Brent

FREE GIFT

As a way to say “thank you” to all of you who subscribe to Man vs. Row by email, I’m going to give away some cool stuff in July (2014).  If you subscribe to MvR, I’ll send you a free report, “10 Things The Pro Knows.”  I’ll also send you the guitar/vocal of “Crickets,” which is the title track of Joe Nichols’ current album.  You’ll get to hear the song as Joe heard it when he decided to record it.  You’ll also receive the lyric file of the song- and this lyric file includes “Baxter’s Boneyard” – all the lines that DIDN’T make it into the song (see if you agree with our choices).  It’s something nobody else has seen, and I think it’s pretty cool.  But, again, this gift is only for those who subscribe to Man vs. Row by E-MAIL.  These gifts will be sent by email, so if I don’t have your email address, I can’t send it to you.  God Bless!

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